Symmetric Points Relation
Picked on two points and a line, the Symmetric relation makes the points mirror images of each other across the line. It is listed as Symmetric points.
When to Use It
- Place two holes the same distance either side of a center line
- Keep two corners balanced about an axis
- Hold a part symmetric as its width changes
Step by Step
- Open a sketch and draw the pieces (see Lines, Circles and Rectangles). Sketching is part of modeling, which comes with the Pro plans.
- Click Select on the Sketch tab (or press S).
- Move the pointer over a piece until its dots show and click the first point, then click the second point. Then click the line they should mirror across (a construction line is the usual choice). Pick exactly two points and one line.
- Keep the pointer still for about half a second. A bar titled Add a relation to the N selected opens beside it, with one button for each relation that fits. Click Symmetric. Instead of waiting for the bar, you can click Symmetric under Add a relation in the Properties panel. (The right-click menu needs a piece selected, so for points use the bar or Properties.)
- A small green square marks the relation on the sketch, and a message says Symmetric added. It stays true as you move and resize; Edit, Constraints lists it. Ctrl+Z takes it back.
Options
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Picks | Two points and one line, in any order. The line can be a construction line, a drawn line or a part edge. |
| Result | The second point moves to be the mirror image of the first across the line. The first point stays, unless it is the one on an anchored piece. |
| Listed as | Symmetric points. |
Tips
- Only one choice fits two points and a line, so the bar shows just Symmetric.
- Draw the mirror line first as a construction line (see Construction Geometry).
- Symmetric points keeps the mirroring true when you move either point or change the line.
- For points, use the bar or the Properties panel. The right-click menu needs a piece selected.
If Something Goes Wrong
- "Symmetric cannot hold together with the relations already there. Nothing changed." Something already placed (another relation, a typed size or a Fix) fights this one. Delete the one in the way from the list under Edit (see Edit Menu) and try again.
- "Symmetric already holds through the relations you have, so nothing was added." The sketch already forces this, so nothing more is needed.
- The button is not in the bar. The bar only lists relations that fit what you picked. Check what is selected in the Selected list of the Properties panel. If the panel says None fits this selection. Pick another point, piece or part edge with it., change the picks.
- "Symmetric applied once: the relation solver could not load, so it will not be kept." The piece moved once but nothing was stored. Check your connection and add it again.